|
|
 Biblical
scholar and monk who endured many trials in his lifetime. Born to a wealthy
family in Smolensk, Russia, Abraham was orphaned while young and gave away
his inheritance to become a monk. He entered the Bogoroditskaya Monastery
and developed a genuine apostolate for the sick and poor of the region. A
biblical scholar who lived austerely and preached on the Last Judgement,
Abraham made many enemies in his religious community, and he eventually
withdrew from his monastery and joined the monks of the Holy Cross. He was
not well received there either, and charges of heresy, immorality, and pride
were leveled against him. After separate trials cleared him of these
charges, Abraham was ordered back to Bogoroditskaya Monastery and was denied
his priestly functions by Ignatius, bishop of Smolensk. However, when the
city faced a terrible drought, the citizens of Smolensk demanded that
Abraham be restored. This clamor for reinstatement led to a second
investigation, one that cleared his name. Bishop Ignatius apologized to the
saint for his treatment. Abraham became the abbot of the Mother of God
Monastery where he received people and was revered for his courage and
humility. He remained in the Mother of God Monastery until his death.
|
|
